Xavi picks two Roshn League starters as Netherlands make history against Germany | OneFootball

Xavi Hernandez began his Netherlands tenure with a landmark selection, starting two Roshn League players against Germany in the 2027 UEFA Nations League.

The Dutch faced Germany on Thursday in the opening round of Group Two. Opta reported it was the first time two players from non-European leagues had started for the Netherlands.

Crysencio Summerville, the Al Hilal winger, and Tijjani Reijnders, the Al-Qadisiyah midfielder, both made the XI. They joined the Saudi league last summer, arriving from West Ham United and Manchester City respectively.

Former head coach Ronald Koeman had resisted calling up Saudi-based players, stating so even during Steven Bergwijn’s strong spell with Al-Ittihad.

Xavi has removed that barrier, recently stressing the Saudi league’s strength and his willingness to select any player from it, provided their performances merit inclusion.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”